Yesterday I had on Fargo Park District director Joel Vettel on my radio show to talk about his desire for a Park District Police Department. Something that would facilitate the Park District hiring a sworn police officer to provide security for the city’s parks.

Last night the park board moved ahead with the plan, but Fargo-based defense attorney Mark Friese – himself a former police officer who works extensively with law enforcement officers – says the plan may have some legal hurdles which haven’t been considered yet.

Friese says that the Fargo City Commission would need to change its ordinances to make it possible for the Park District to start its own police department. He also said that, when he spoke with Fargo’s city attorney, the man wasn’t even aware of the park district plan.